St. Philip Neri Catholic School (SPN) has been proudly providing education and faith formation for children and families throughout the metro area since 1961. Today, on its 14 acres of land, SPN serves students in PK3-7th grade on its main campus and children from 6 weeks of age to 2 years at its Early Learning Center.
Richard Hill, the principal at SPN for the last five years, attributes the school’s success to the hard work and dedication of its teachers, the support and contributions of its families, and the zeal of its wonderful students. SPN’s mission is to educate the whole child, placing an emphasis on growing the faith of its students, offering a rigorous academic program, providing a variety of extracurricular activities, and seeking out opportunities for students to learn to care for others and to treat others with kindness in a comfortable and supportive environment.
Mr. Hill says that serving at St. Philip Neri is an honor and privilege because he gets to “work on the frontlines with exceptional educators to bring the faith to our students and families, shining the light of Christ to others.”
In recent years, SPN has invested heavily in the student experience. The library has been refurbished, and both a science lab and an art studio have been added. Classrooms have been converted to LED lighting, new outdoor playground spaces have been built, and technology campus-wide has been updated. Technology improvements include the installation of fiber optic internet, the placing of new wireless access points, expanding the school’s 1:1 technology initiative to include second grade and up, and upgrading interactive boards and other equipment in classrooms.
The strength of St. Philip Neri, however, lies with its people. SPN prides itself on offering a “full service” community, where its students, families, faculty, and parishioners can draw closer to God, work together to serve others, and develop lifelong friendships while growing in mind, body, and spirit, all towards the goal of forming future saints.